I replaced the head with a Manfrotto 3038 ball head. There results improved dramatically, but I still had a fair number of shots that showed camera shake. After that I upgraded the legs to the 3036, and found that the combination was very stable. So, IMO, there would probably be an advantage to upgrading to more heavy duty legs.
If you use the 3021, it would probably be best to not fully extend the legs (especially the lower sections) and to not extend the neck at all. I use the 3021 still with my 400 f5.6 and shorter lenses. I think it's more the weight of the lens than the focal length that affects stability.
Personally, I changed a few years ago and pretty much stopped locking down the tripod when birding. I just leave things dampened, but moveable, and mash my face into the back of the camera and press down on the middle/front of the lens with my left hand to absorb the vibrations . Took some practice but it works great.
- MCC
At 07:57 AM 2/21/2004 -0500, you wrote:
Just got my hands on a Takumar 500/4.5.
My Bogen 3021 tripod with a 3047 pan head will support the thing, but it is very subject to vibration when focusing and such.
So, I'm wondering what needs replacing to help reduce the vibration? The whole thing, or just the head or legs?
Thx
Don
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Mark Cassino Photography
Kalamazoo, MI
http://www.markcassino.com
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